It is an important herb and we use the rhizome of this plant extensively in home remedies. In the Thai cuisine they use the fresh galangal root to add aroma to the dish. Galangal is an herb that comes from the ginger family and belongs to genus Alpinia (1). This herb is mainly found in South-East Asia and is widely used as a spice to flavor food products. It is native to Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia. Galangal herb in all its forms of Galangal seeds, oil and more has been widely used as a herbal medicine since ages. This herb is used as a medicine in Middle-East and India. Today, it is being imported widely in Europe for its flavor and medicinal properties

Benefits

Galangal Powder helps in relieving the discomfort caused in stomach and abdomen due to inflammation or other diseases.

It helps in curbing down the sea and motion sickness

It also helps in promoting the blood circulation in the body

When suffering from diarrhea, you can always eat a few slices of galangal as it gives immediate relief

Skin Benefits

Apart from its medicinal values, it is also widely used for skin care. Galangal juice can be applied topically for the treatment of many skin diseases. It consists of 40 antioxidants that help in protecting the skin against aging

This herb removes the toxins from the body and improves the blood circulation (6). This results in the release of extra nutrients to the skin tissues. The antioxidants present in galangal prevent the free radicals from damaging the skin, thus preserving the youthfulness of the skin.

Hair Benefits

It has also been used in the treatment of hair and scalp. This was used widely as an Ayurvedic medicine for the treatment of diseases related to hair and scalp

The use of galangal on scalp increases the blood circulation and thus, it promotes hair growth. The fatty acids of galangal are great for thin hair. The juice of galangal can be mixed with jojoba oil and applied to the thinning hair. This concoction will help you counter hair loss and promote hair growth.

It is a great remedy for dry and brittle hair as it contains zinc, vitamins and phosphorous which provide bounce and shine to hair

Dandruff is a common problem all over the world. The antiseptic properties of galangal will greatly help in getting rid of dandruff permanently. The oil extracted from galangal can be applied on the scalp. Alternatively, you can mix grated galangal powder with olive oil or sesame oil. You can also mix lemon juice to this concoction and apply it to the scalp to treat dandruff.

Side Effects

There are no known side effects with this herb. Seek medical advice for its use during pregnancy.